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So here's my situation... I've been trying to re-enlist in the reserves for over a year. I am now 37, about to turn 38. I have 5 years active service in the Marine Corps and 4 years creditable reserve years (reflected on my CRCR). I have a RE-1A rating. The prior service recruiter I contacted originally said that my constructive age for getting back in the Reserves was low enough... that all 9 years counted towards that. I went through ALL the paperwork... I had to take care of my own physical, which a local reserve center was gracious enough to facilitate (apparently you don't go through MEPS for this). I have a 40% VA rating, but I was upfront about my past conditions with the medics and the recruiter and both said it wouldn't be a problem. The Navy doctor signed off on my paperwork. I was also told that I could serve with a VA rating as long as I don't double-dip, which I remember from being in the reserves previously. I turned in the paperwork to the recruiter and never heard from him again. Couldn't get calls or e-mails returned and am presently working out-of-state where I can't get into the office. I decided then to contact the prior service recruiter which serves this area, who's new to the job and more eager to help. Today, however, he called me and said that only my active time counts towards my constructive age and the reserve time does not. He said he couldn't help me because my constructive age puts me at 32 instead of 28 (as I thought), and the cut-off is 32 (not sure if 32 inclusive). He also said that he didn't know this until today but someone in his office told him. So I tried again to contact the original prior service recruiter, the one to whom I had turned in my paperwork. No response. All the while I thought I was within age limits and now I'm trying to find something in writing which explains this. I can't find any info on the internet specific to my situation. I would go in ANY service if I could, but when I talked to the Guard they said I could not come in with a 40% rating... it has to be 30% or less. What is the truth? Who do I call? I was so close to making this work, getting through the physical and all...
Reserves
Recruiting
Prior Service
Re-enlistment
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 5
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This doesn't sound correct. I'd try a different recruiting office.
Failing that, the National Guard will take you well into your twilight years!
I'll see my career counsellor tomorrow and give you a proper answer.
Failing that, the National Guard will take you well into your twilight years!
I'll see my career counsellor tomorrow and give you a proper answer.
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2LT (Join to see)
The ARCC (Army Reserve Career Counsellor) says the cut off for prior service BCT is 42.
He also suggested you talk with a different recruiter.
He also suggested you talk with a different recruiter.
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2LT (Join to see)
Sgt Jt McLaughlin rgr. You need a new recruiter. Try a mall, they're usually in need of good recruits!
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Sgt Jt McLaughlin
Hmm.. are there still any malls around? I am exploring the Army or Guard options, although I thought my VA rating made those options impossible (somehow never was a problem when I was in the Marine Reserves). I made calls today and am awaiting responses. I did get a hold of the Marine Corps Retention Manual and read all I could. Now I know why I got so much conflicting info... it's like the Bible, no one can tell what it really says. And the Marine Corps website says something different altogether. But with my home recruiter going out of his way to avoid answering me, I think I have my answer. Good to know that the age thing isn't a problem in the Army... I'd be as happy to be a soldier as a Marine, since it's all to the right cause.
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Simple google search was all it took to find the information you needed.
https://careertrend.com/list-7251876-reenlistment-requirements-marine-corps.html
According to everything I could find, your constructive time is SUPPOSED to be all time served and this is subtracted from your actual age and to be eligible to re-enlist it has to fall at or below the magic number of 28. So in your case, it SHOULD be 5 years active+ 4 years reserve for a total of 9 subtracted from 37 leaving you at 28, enlistable.
You said this recruiter was new to the position so maybe step above his head to a more senior and knowledgeable recruiter or even the station chief to get a more definitive word.
https://careertrend.com/list-7251876-reenlistment-requirements-marine-corps.html
According to everything I could find, your constructive time is SUPPOSED to be all time served and this is subtracted from your actual age and to be eligible to re-enlist it has to fall at or below the magic number of 28. So in your case, it SHOULD be 5 years active+ 4 years reserve for a total of 9 subtracted from 37 leaving you at 28, enlistable.
You said this recruiter was new to the position so maybe step above his head to a more senior and knowledgeable recruiter or even the station chief to get a more definitive word.
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Sgt Jt McLaughlin
I appreciate the link... by that logic, I should be good for another year since the maximum age to enlist in the Marine Reserves is actually 29. I'd really prefer to go active again in any service, but I figured my age and the VA rating were against me. That said, I'd do the reserves if that's all that was available... and I find it really odd that reserve time doesn't count towards reserve time.
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I’m just going to say something about the age and that’s it. He lied cause I was 33 when I joined last year and the cut off age is 35.
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Not sure about the percentage but the age cut off is 35, so even with whatever math they were doing you met the age requirement. I will look into my regs and see what I can find out about the percentage.
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Sgt Jt McLaughlin
SSG, I would very much appreciate that. I found and looked up the Marine Corps Retention Manual and I think it can be interpreted different ways. I'm starting to see why every recruiter has a different answer... it's like the Bible, no one can agree on what it really says. The bottom line is, the recruiter who was the most certain of my eligibility has totally ghosted me for whatever reason. I called others but one said I was too old and another said that I wasn't but that I'm in the wrong state and she can't help me. I left a message with the Army Reserves and the National Guard today... I imagine my rating will be an issue with them, but I'm willing to serve wherever I still can. I work for the federal government and I've learned that there are so many rules and policies that they contradict each other and no one really knows what they mean... I'm thinking that the recruiting world is like that. Any insight is welcome and appreciated...
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could it be that it is more about the 40% rating than your age?....I would keep digging untill you get a definate answer in WRITING
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Sgt Jt McLaughlin
I don't think so... the original prior service recruiter is well aware of my rating and the reasons behind it. I didn't even get that far with this other recruiter. I can't figure out what's going on with recruiter #1... the several times I did talk to him, he said that I'm qualified and even explained what paperwork to turn in. If he wanted me to go away, he could've said something else. I can handle the truth but I can't handle being ghosted... after all, aren't I still a Marine?
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SFC (Join to see)
Get you whole new recruiter. Every year you served both active and enlisted. When I returned to active duty I was 41 and had 12yrs credit service which they counted each year. I also had a 60% VA rating. I’m not sure if it is different based upon the branch of service you’re trying to re-enlist with but if that’s the case, you can always enlist Army, we are always looking for great prior service to return to serve with pride and honor.
With the rating, once I receive my orders returning me to active duty, I had to send them a copy asking them to suspend my VA check while I was serving on active duty. Once I retire, I’ll have to send them a copy of my retirement order to re-start my payment while I wait for an updated VA rating. I hope this helps and I hope you find the right recruiter or branch of service willing to do their job right to get you back in.....Sgt Jt McLaughlin
With the rating, once I receive my orders returning me to active duty, I had to send them a copy asking them to suspend my VA check while I was serving on active duty. Once I retire, I’ll have to send them a copy of my retirement order to re-start my payment while I wait for an updated VA rating. I hope this helps and I hope you find the right recruiter or branch of service willing to do their job right to get you back in.....Sgt Jt McLaughlin
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Sgt Jt McLaughlin
Wow, I was under the impression I couldn't join another branch with an over 30% rating. An Army recruiter I spoke to in January said that I would have to waive my VA before we even attempt the process, but when I went to the VA office they said I should be careful with this because I'd lose my benefit with no guarantee of actually being able to enlist. Then the Army recruiter didn't show up the day of our appointment and nothing more came of the discussion. I applied to the Marine Reserves because it seemed like the easiest way back and my rating wasn't an impediment for them... except that now my age is and who knows what other rules. But you were 41 with a 60% rating? So this isn't impossible? The truth is, if I went back in, maybe I should be a prior service recruiter... I will be an expert by the time I'm through with this :) And I would never ignore or ghost a vet or fellow service member like some do, even if the answer is no. Thanks for your comment... it gives me hope.
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